Make a Safe Transition: Security Concerns When Going Fully Remote
For many over the past year, the changes to the way we work have been drastic. In some cases for those employers who have recognised that their business can run productively in a work from home structure, these changes will become permanent.
However, this new way of working presents different cyber security challenges that existing policies and security systems weren’t implemented to protect against. Without the safety of knowing that you are working on a corporate network that is being monitored, managed and supported, how do you ensure that your data is not at risk?
For assets: this would include, but not be limited to, a way to remotely update (or patch) services and applications whilst employees are potentially outside the corporate network. The proper processes will need to be put in place for application installation for all remote devices. Protocols will need to be put in place for personal devices being used to access company data on sites with limited security, and being part of a non-secure home environment.
External drives and ports that may not be required for off-site staff may need to be disabled. Remote access would need to be secured for required resources that are accessed via the cloud, there is also the potential need to create a security hierarchy for any need-to-know data that should only be seen by staff with the correct permissions.
There will also be concerns with 3rd party applications that are used to support remote working.
For users: With remote working comes an increased need for care, vigilance and education about how to safely access services, applications and data using personal devices on your home network. Employers should provide on-going training services to educate their user community on the risks of working remotely, along with making sure any changes to information security policies are properly communicated. Additional training should also be delivered to provide insight into how threats like phishing are becoming more advanced and therefore harder to recognise. Multi-factor authentication should also be configured for any applications or services being accessed remotely, including cloud services like Office365.
The transition to a fully remote business is one that requires diligent and stringent assessment and protocols to minimise your exposure risk to cyber security threats. It is vital that you take the necessary steps to protecting not only you, but your employees and your company. You need a system and regulations in place that recognises every facet of your security needs and therefore provides full comprehensive protection.
With the right company behind you, it may not be as difficult as you think.
Get in touch for a free health-check audit and let Nouveau help you establish your move to remote working while building a better, more resilient future for your organisation.
Email hello@nouveau.co.uk or call 01189 186822 and let’s get started.
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